When you use the power of nature and make the most of your natural surroundings you have the perfect setting for gaining inspiration, delving into self-discovery, and preparing for significant life changes.Whether part of a single day coaching session or a longer retreat, you can learn powerful lessons in the outdoors, in exploring wild places.

On Open Space events, you will use contemporary mindfulness practices and more traditional techniques to become more aware, less judgmental and awaken a much greater sensitivity to the natural world. You learn how to deeply listen, to both your mind and the wider environment, gaining a greater understanding of yourself and the issues you face.

Nature is known for its capacity to heal and you will find that being on an Open Space retreat can help you gain a deeper connection with your surroundings, with nature, gaining insights into life and developing an openness in mind and body. If you have meditation experience a wilderness retreat is an opportunity to broaden and deepen your understanding of what meditation is, and what it can be. It is a situation that allows you to explore, more fully, living in a mindful way in nature, outside the more traditional context of a meditation or retreat centre.

On longer programmes we usually prefer to camp giving us extra time in the wilderness to sink even deeper into nature. In addition to allowing us more wilderness time, this format allows for a significant reduction in costs. What experience is needed? You do not need any specific outdoor or meditation experience to come on an Open Spaces programme (in fact, many of those we work with have never before been camping or backpacking), it can help but it is not essential. Likewise, there is a physical aspect to the days and you may be expected to carry a rucksack containing tent, sleeping bag, food, etc. for a short time (up to 30 minutes) especially when on solo.

Programmes are led by highly qualified leaders who combine a depth of mindfulness practice and teaching experience with professional outdoor leadership expertise.

 

What you can expect

The retreats include sustained periods of silence, allowing us time to really absorb our surroundings, becoming more attuned to our environment. The days are a blend of walking, meditation, group discussion, and other activities including guidance on the themes of meditation and being in nature as a spiritual practice. There are generally 2-3 days on longer retreats when we are not walking. On these days, we have more time to meditate, explore the local terrain, and have individual guidance about your meditation or what is happening for you on the retreat. On some retreats there is an opportunity to spend time in a solo camp, often in a solitary location chosen by you in conjunction with your guide. There will also be guidance about the local landscape, geology, flora, fauna, helping us to connect more fully to the area we are walking in.

John Muir Award

On our longer (5 days or more) retreats there is the opportunity to gain the prestigious John Muir Award, details of which are available at:http://www.jmt.org/jmaward-home.asp